Garment Having Work Revealing Window and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

The invention is a garment or like apparel that has a substantially transparent window connected to a pocket or cavity within the garment or like apparel, with the garment or like apparel being adapted to selectively reveal work performed preferably on a hand-held electronic device that is contained within the pocket or other garment or apparel cavity. The garment or like apparel is useful in allowing the manipulation of the hand-held electronic device contained within a cavity of the garment or like apparel while protecting the user&#39;s hands from the weather or harsh environment or while keeping such use discreet or private.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to garments and like apparelhaving a transparent window to reveal work that is performed within thegarment or like apparel. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to garments having a selectively openable window coveringoperable to expose a transparent window to reveal the use of hand-heldelectronic devices.

RELATED ART

Hand-held electronic devices such as cell phones, personal digitalassistants (PDA), electronic games, pagers, calculators, puzzle solvers,miniature computers, combinations of the preceding, etc., have becomeprevalent in society, with their use becoming increasingly common andbeing adopted by users of increasingly younger ages. Such devices havefound use in placing phone calls, sending text messages, playing games,browsing internet pages, purchasing goods and services, solving puzzles,and other sundry uses. Some garments are known to have been adapted forusing such hand-held electronic devices and related devices. Further,some garments are known to have various pockets or other features so asto provide a particular utility to the user of the garment. Examples ofsuch concepts are disclosed in the following US patents and applicationswhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,296,303, 6,826,782, 6,774,296, 6,665,878, 6,014,774, 5,845,337,5,794,263, 5,787,505, 5,699,632, 5,682,610, 5,678,249, 5,499,401,5,461,728, 5,269,023, 5,241,706, 5,139,187, 4,949,887, 4,893,357,4,876,724, 4,495,659, 4,408,355, 4,221,954, 3,793,643, 3,491,373,3,203,005, 2,751,952, 2,727,241, 2,611,901, 2,557,280, 369,817, 255,420,D472,364, D440,738, D373,235, D371,892, D364,724, D300,984, D255,505,D254,216, D138,009, D132,164, D132,163, D132,162, D132,161, D123,010,D116,525, D115,369, D97,354, D97,237, D97,236, D29,775, D7,537, D7,536,D6,826, D4,254, D4,019, D3,946, D3,697, D2,841, D2,835, 20080196140,20070261703, 20070139875, and 20040035742.

SUMMARY

It is recognized that often times when using a hand-held electronicdevice, the user's hands as well as the hand-held device are subject tocold, rain or other inclement weather as well as to sand, dirt and otherdebris. An example of such use is for instance, a football fan using acell phone while attending a cold open air football game to send a textmessage of the football game score. Furthermore, it is recognized thatwhen using a hand-held electronic device, the user may want to avoiddrawing attention to the use, or the user may want to conceal such use.An example of such use is for instance, a student using a cell phonewhile attending a class to send a text message to a friend without the“texting” becoming known to the instructor or other select students. Theinvention therefore is a garment or related apparel (e.g. a purse) thathas a substantially transparent window connected to a pocket or cavity,with the garment being adapted to selectively reveal work performedpreferably on a hand-held electronic device that is used within thepocket or other garment cavity. The garment may take the form forinstance of a hoodie (or hoody—a hooded sweatshirt or like garment)having a pocket with a transparent window, a jacket having a pocket witha transparent window, a purse having a transparent window, a muff (ormuffler—a hollow cylindrical or tubular garment for use warming hands),a mitten adapted for two-handed use having a transparent window, or aglove having a transparent window. The use may be for instance preparingand sending a text message on a cell phone while the cell phone is heldwithin the windowed cavity of the garment by the wearer of the garmentor by the user of the related apparel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a substantially trimetric view of a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a substantially trimetric view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a substantially trimetric view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a substantially trimetric view of a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a substantially trimetric view of a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the fifthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a substantially trimetric view of a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areincluded to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention can be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

The invention is a garment or related apparel that has a substantiallytransparent window connected to a pocket or cavity within the garment orrelated apparel, with the garment or related apparel being adapted toselectively reveal work performed preferably on a hand-held electronicdevice that is contained within the pocket or other garment or apparelcavity. The garment or related apparel is useful in allowing themanipulation of the hand-held electronic device contained within acavity of the garment or related apparel while protecting the user'shands and the hand-held device from the weather or harsh environment orwhile keeping such use discreet or private.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention inreviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature list isprovided below. It is noted that like features are like numberedthroughout all of the figures.

FEATURE TABLE # Feature # Feature 20 Hoodie 22 Hood 24 Sleeve 26Drawstring 28 Pocket 30 Access opening 32 Window 34 Window covering 40Jacket 42 Hood 44 Sleeve 46 Drawstring 47 Zipper 48 Pocket 50 Accessopening 52 Window 54 Window covering 60 Purse 62 Strap 64 Lid 66 Clasp68 Access opening 70 Cuff 72 Window 74 Window covering 80 Muff 82 Strap84 First buckle member 86 Second buckle member 88 Access opening 90 Cuff92 Window 94 Window covering 100 Mitten 102 Stitching 104 Access opening106 Cuff 108 Window 120 Glove 122 Access opening 124 Cuff 126 Window 140Human 142 Human hand 150 Hand-held electronic device

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a firstembodiment of the invention is a hoodie 20 defining a substantiallyopaque cloth or fabric sweatshirt type garment having a hood 22, aplurality of sleeves 24, a drawstring 26, and a pocket 28. Pocket 28further defines a pocket forming an inner cavity and having a pluralityof access openings 30, a substantially transparent and preferablyplastic window 32, and an openable and closeable window covering 34hingedly connect to pocket 28. Window covering 34 may preferably besecured to pocket 28 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or othersuitable closure mechanism. Window covering 34 may further be secured tohoodie 20 in an open position by means of a Velcro or other suitablefastening mechanism. A hand-held electronic device 150 is preferablyremovably contained within pocket 28. Hand-held electronic device 150may define for instance a cell phone, a PDA, an electronic game, apager, a calculator, a puzzle solver, a miniature computer, or anycombination thereof. In practice, when a user such as a human 140 havinghands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 34,places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 throughaccess openings 30 and into pocket 28. Human 140 then manipulates device150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a gamewhile watching such manipulation through window 32. By thus using hoodie20, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increasedprivacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for boththe human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 2, a secondembodiment of the invention is a jacket 40 defining a substantiallyopaque cloth or fabric type garment having a hood 42, a plurality ofsleeves 44, a drawstring 46, a zipper 47, and a plurality of pocket 48.At least one of pockets 48 further defines a pocket forming an innercavity and having an access opening 50, a substantially transparent andpreferably plastic window 52, and an openable and closeable windowcovering 54 hingedly connect to pocket 48. Window covering 54 maypreferably be secured to pocket 48 in a closed position by means of aVelcro or other suitable closure mechanism. Window covering 54 mayfurther be secured to jacket 40 in an open position by means of a Velcroor other suitable fastening mechanism. Hand-held electronic device 150is preferably removably contained within pocket 48. In practice, whenhuman user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140opens window covering 54, places a single hand 142 through accessopening 50 and into pocket 48. Human 140 then manipulates device 150such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a gamewhile watching such manipulation through window 52. By thus using jacket40, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increasedprivacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for boththe human's hand 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, athird embodiment of the invention is a purse 60 defining a substantiallyopaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type hand-bag or containerapparel defining an inner cavity and having a strap 62, a lid 64, aclasp 66, and a plurality of access openings 68, each access opening 68having a flexible and drapeable cuff 70. Lid 64 further includes asubstantially transparent and preferably plastic window 72 formedtherein and an openable and closeable window covering 74 hingedlyconnect to lid 64. Window covering 74 may preferably be secured to lid64 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or other suitable closuremechanism. Window covering 74 may further be secured to purse 60 in anopen position by means of a Velcro or other suitable fasteningmechanism. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removablycontained within purse 60. In practice, when human user 140 having hands142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 74,places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 throughaccess openings 68 and into purse 60. Human 140 then manipulates device150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a gamewhile watching such manipulation through window 72. By thus using purse60, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increasedprivacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for boththe human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 5, a fourthembodiment of the invention is a muff 80 defining preferably asubstantially opaque cloth or fabric hollow cylindrical garment definingan inner cavity and having a plurality of access openings 88, eachaccess opening 88 having a flexible and drapeable cuff 90, asubstantially transparent and preferably plastic window 92, and anopenable and closeable window covering 94 hingedly connect to muff 80.Window covering 94 may preferably be secured to muff 80 in a closedposition by means of a Velcro or other suitable closure mechanism.Window covering 94 may further be secured to muff 80 in an open positionby means of a Velcro or other suitable fastening mechanism. Muff 80further preferably includes a strap 82 secured to muff 80, strap 82having a first buckle member 84 and a second buckle member 86. Muff 80is adapted to be secure to human user 140 by means of placing strap 82around the waist of human user 140 and by buckleably connecting firstbuckle member 84 and second buckle member 86. Hand-held electronicdevice 150 is preferably removably contained within muff 80. Inpractice, when a human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device150, human 140 opens window covering 94, places at least one hand 142and preferably both of hands 142 through access openings 88 and intomuff 80. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing andsending a text message or in playing a game while watching suchmanipulation through window 92. By thus using muff 80, human 140 is ableto manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymityand while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 6 and 7, afifth embodiment of the invention is a mitten 100 defining asubstantially opaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type mittendefining an inner cavity and having stitching 102, an access opening 104having a cuff 106, and a substantially transparent and preferablyplastic window 108 formed in a wall of mitten 100. Mitten 100 and accessopening 104 of mitten 100 are adapted to receive a plurality of hands142. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably containedwithin mitten 100. In practice, when human user 140 having hands 142desires to use device 150, human 140 places at least one hand 142 andpreferably both of hands 142 through access opening 104 and into mitten100. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing andsending a text message or in playing a game while watching suchmanipulation through window 72. By thus using mitten 100, human 140 isable to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy andanonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human'shands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 8 and 9, asixth embodiment of the invention is a glove 120 defining asubstantially opaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type glovedefining an inner cavity and an access opening 122 having a cuff 124,and a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 126 formedin a wall of glove 120. Glove 120 and access opening 122 of glove 120are adapted to receive a singular hand 142. Hand-held electronic device150 is preferably removably contained within glove 120. In practice,when human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human140 places one hand 142 through access opening 122 and into glove 120.Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending atext message or in playing a game while watching such manipulationthrough window 126. By thus using glove 120, human 140 is able tomanipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity andwhile enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 anddevice 150.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A substantially opaque item of apparel forming at least one innercavity having at least one wall, at least one access opening providingaccess to said at least one inner cavity, and at least one window formedin said at least one wall of said cavity so as to reveal the contents ofsaid inner cavity, wherein said access opening is adapted to allow thepassage of at least one human hand to pass through said access opening,and wherein said inner cavity is adapted to allow the occupancy of saidat least one human hand and at least one hand-held electronic devicewithin said cavity.
 2. The item of apparel of claim 1, wherein said itemof apparel defines at least one of a purse and a wearable garment for ahuman.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein said garment defines at leastone of a hoodie, a jacket, a muff, a mitten adapted for two-handed use,and a glove adapted for single-handed use.
 4. The item of apparel ofclaim 1, wherein said item of apparel includes an openable and closeablewindow covering adapted to selectively expose and selectively cover saidwindow.
 5. The item of apparel of claim 1, wherein said item of apparelincludes a plurality of inner cavities.
 6. The item of apparel of claim1, wherein said at least one inner cavity defines a garment pocket. 7.The item of apparel of claim 1, wherein said hand-held electronic devicedefines at least one of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, anelectronic game, a pager, a calculator, a puzzle solver, a miniaturecomputer, and a combination thereof.
 8. A substantially opaque wearablegarment forming at least one inner cavity having at least one wall, atleast one access opening providing access to said at least one innercavity, and at least one window formed in said at least one wall of saidcavity so as to reveal the contents of said inner cavity, wherein saidaccess opening is adapted to allow the passage of at least one humanhand to pass through said access opening, and wherein said inner cavityis adapted to allow the occupancy of said at least one human hand and atleast one hand-held electronic device within said cavity.
 9. The garmentof claim 8, wherein said garment defines at least one of a hoodie, ajacket, a muff, a mitten adapted for two-handed use, and a glove adaptedfor single-handed use.
 10. The garment of claim 8, wherein said garmentincludes an openable and closeable window covering adapted toselectively expose and selectively cover said window.
 11. The garment ofclaim 8, wherein said garment includes a plurality of inner cavities.12. The garment of claim 8, wherein said at least one inner cavitydefines a garment pocket.
 13. The garment of claim 8, wherein saidhand-held electronic device defines at least one of a cell phone, apersonal digital assistant, an electronic game, a pager, a calculator, apuzzle solver, a miniature computer, and a combination thereof.
 14. Amethod of using an item of apparel comprising: providing a substantiallyopaque item of apparel forming at least one inner cavity having at leastone wall, at least one access opening providing access to said at leastone inner cavity, and at least one window formed in said at least onewall of said cavity, placing a hand-held electronic device in saidcavity, manipulating said hand-held electronic device, and observingsaid manipulation of said device through said window.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein said item of apparel defines at least one of a purseand a wearable garment for a human.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinsaid garment defines at least one of a hoodie, a jacket, a muff, amitten adapted for two-handed use, and a glove adapted for single-handeduse.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein said item of apparel includesan openable and closeable window covering adapted to selectively exposeand selectively cover said window.
 18. The method of claim 14, whereinsaid item of apparel includes a plurality of inner cavities.
 19. Themethod of claim 14, wherein said at least one inner cavity defines agarment pocket.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein said hand-heldelectronic device defines at least one of a cell phone, a personaldigital assistant, an electronic game, a pager, a calculator, a puzzlesolver, a miniature computer, and a combination thereof.